Sticky residue on your car or a sugary film on patio furniture is often the first sign of a spotted lanternfly infestation. This invasive insect feeds by piercing plants and extracting their sap, which can heavily weaken trees, maples, walnuts, and grapevines.
As they feed, the insects excrete a sticky waste called honeydew that coats anything beneath infested trees. This sugary film encourages the growth of black sooty mold on leaves, which blocks the sunlight needed for photosynthesis and further damages the plant.
The lanternfly changes appearance as it matures, shifting from black with white spots to bright red markings, before finally becoming a one-inch adult with gray and red wings. They lay egg masses that resemble smears of gray mud on trees, fences, and outdoor equipment.
To help control the spread, experts recommend scraping these mud-like egg masses directly into rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Residents should also thoroughly inspect vehicles and avoid transporting firewood out of infested areas to protect local ecosystems.
